For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.
Fourth Annual Hotel Bridge Ride by Alice Badecker
For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.
Memorial Day Photos 2013
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Memorial Day Ceremony, 2013 Leeds MA
Hotel Bridge Bike Ride 2013 Photos
Bike Riders support Hotel Bridge Fundraiser
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Memorial Day Ceremony
The LCA held a Memorial Day ceremony Sunday May 26th at the Veteran’s Memorial Park across from Leeds Elementary School. There was a reading of the Gettysburg Address by a Jackson Street Elementary school fifth grader, a beautiful speech was given by Brad Levay which called out the many freedoms we as citizens enjoy and our debt to veterans for preserving those freedoms. There was an impressive color guard (seen above) and Taps was played. There was a robust cannon salute, and then the wreath laying. The Reverend David Whiteley, Chaplain from the Veterans Administration Medical Center officiated. See photo gallery here.
Fourth Annual Hotel Bridge Bike Ride
For the fourth year in a row riders came out and enjoyed a scenic bike ride through Western MA towns which began in Leeds and ended in Leeds. All routes traveled over the historic Hotel Bridge where riders saw a freshly painted thank you sign. We thanked them for taking part in the fundraising efforts and riding a 10, 25, or 50 mile route on their bikes. In return they went home with an awesome Tshirt with our Leeds Hotel Bridge graphic designed by Heidi Stevens. About 55 riders, age 8 through 72 took part in the event. The weather was perfect for biking, cool and no rain! At the top of a long climb about 13 miles into the ride, cyclists laughed and chatted as they were greeted by Bob Riddle who had snacks and drinks ready. Back at Chartpack more volunteers worked registration tables checking in and out riders. Thank you Stephy Cho, Deb Jacobs, Alisa Klein, Amy Stamm, and Sue Carbin. Registration was well organized by the set up crew of Joel Emrick, David Rondina, and Tom Silliman. Photographing the smiles all day was Joel Emerick with a camera ready at every turn!
Riders who braved the hilly 50 mile route were greeted by George Merriam at the Conway covered bridge with much needed snacks. A big thank you to Alisa Klein for her expertise in advertising our ride, although we had many returning riders, she got the word out and new faces were riding too! Justin O’Connor made online pre-registration available so sign ups were quick and easy the morning of the ride. All in all, the event was successful, riders had fun, there were no injuries, and a profit was made toward restoring the Leeds Hotel bridge. Our next step will be to meet with DPW to get an update on the progress of restoration plans. Thank you to all who came out and to sponsors…Stop & Shop, River Valley Market, Walmart, Staples, B.J.s, and Joe’s Garage.
Hotel Bridge Deemed Unsafe for Walkers, Bikers
The LCA received notice on May 23, 2013, that the engineering group was out at the Hotel Bridge and noticed more deterioration on the decking of the bridge. The DPW has been directed to close the bridge to ALL TYPES of traffic. We are letting you know in case you normally cross the bridge by foot or bike. We expect something more permanent to be installed on the bridge. A meeting has been requested with Ned Huntley so that we can get some idea as to the time table and plan that is in place toward restoring the bridge.
Leeds Photo of the Month – May 2013
Return of the three bears. Photo By Pamela Cobb Read more
Annual Spring Clean Up
The Leeds Civic Association’s Annual Spring Litter Pick-Up Day will be Saturday, April 13, 2013. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:00 am in front of the Leeds Post Office. We work from 9am to 11am and the LCA will supply trash bags, a pick-up truck and a dumpster. Just choose a street or section of town to clean up then just pick up the trash and leave the bag (or bags) on the side of the road and our pick up truck trash crew will come along and haul it away to the dumpster. Bring a friend, a neighbor or a complete stranger along to help. And this is dirty work, so a pair of Garden/Work Gloves is strongly recommended.